Jethro Tull- Thick As A Brick Pt. 1 (First Listen)

[@thomasmcintosh390]

I met Ian Anderson in Ocean City Maryland Memorial Day weekend 1974. I was there with fellow Air Force buds. We attempted to buy some beer at a carry out but none of us were 21. So we sat outside looking for the first cool looking dude to ask them to buy us a six pack. The guy who we asked turned out to be Ian Anderson. He went back to his motel room and grabbed his guitar and played us several songs sitting on the hood of my 70 Impala. While we finished off the beer.

[@duanereed1857]

That must have been something. Hanging out with Ian. Cool story.

[@JustJP]

Thats really cool!🍻

[@shanna9650]

Awesome story!!!

[@thomasmcintosh390]

It was a crazy weekend. On our way to Ocean City we witnessed a one car crash where 2 people were killed. We helped the ambulance crew lift the car off one of the victims. Which sort of explains why we were trying to buy beer as soon as the carry out opened.

[@bandfromtheband9445]

That is just awesome! I would have been star-struck and tongue-tied!

[@Ferretbomber]

A note on Barriemore Barlow. He was referred to by John Bonham as 'the finest rock drummer England ever produced.' When Mr. Bonham died and Zeppelin were considering making a 9th album, Barriemore was one of a small number of drummers they considered bringing in, before ultimately deciding to call it a day. He played on Robert Plant's 'A Principle of Moments' (1983) and Jimmy Page's 'Outrider' (1988), as well as Yngwie Malmsteen's 'Rising Force' (1984), which is tremendous. He is truly one of the greats.

[@jameshitt3263]

I never fully understood how or why that incredible mid-to-late 70s lineup was allowed to fall apart. Barrie was just incredible. I personally always go back to his work on A Passion Play.

[@Ferretbomber]

​@@jameshitt3263 Ian wanted to work with a variety of artists and said on numerous occasions that he never intended to play with the same people forever. He'd always been that way. When John Glascock got ill and died it really impacted Barrie Barlow and happened at a time when there was a shift coming in the band. The line-up shifting after Stormwatch was anticipated, but happened in an unfortunate way that lead to acrimony. That era had run its course. And later when Barrie had students and such he would say to them 'don't drum how I did', he thought he played too busy, etc. 1980 ushered in a new era. The 70s band was awesome, it's my fave era, but all things must pass.

[@melvinstevens9211]

To me the song is about a person who wants to be a poet. But his father wants him to be a soldier

[@steveconnor746]

I saw Tull in Newcastle, UK during their Thick As A Brick tour back in the 70s. Before the band came on stage these guys wearing tartan caps and white raincoats started wandering around the instruments, tapping the mic, checking the drum kit etc. They removed the hats and coats to reveal... Ta Daaaa! Jethro Tull. Those guys have such a great sense of humour.

[@Scatherfirst]

I saw their 2nd North American performance of TAAB. Anderson, in typically droll fashion introduced it by saying, "This first song is rather a lengthy one." In later interviews he said it was influenced in part by Monty Python's groundbreaking TV show which was becoming hugely popular at the time. It remains one of my top 5 favorite concerts along with the Stones ('72) and Miles Davis (1980).

[@jackadesman8386]

Still have my original LP from 1972 with the whole newspaper still intact!!!!!

[@kevinhodgson2990]

Thick As A Brick was created as a spoof of concept albums. Supposedly the mother of all concept albums written lyrically by a fictitious 12 year old boy named Gerald Bostock. It was hard to play and very long and complicated so the band was apprehensive of playing it live at first. Martin Barre called it "sheer terror". It was British humor with more theatrics added. Ian said "It was the mood of the time, the beginning of Monty Python's success in the USA. the Americans were just beginning to cotton on to this surreal and absurd and quite often challenging humor, and were very open to these new ideas."

[@SpaceCattttt]

It's ironic that by making a spoof concept album, they made the only listenable album of their career. Shame they didn't stick with it.

[@gemini2012100]

@@SpaceCattttt I like their next album, "A Passion Play", which is also one long song even more than this one. It's around 3 minutes longer than TAAB.

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@gemini2012100 Fair enough. But for a band that's known as a "prog band", they really didn't make a lot of prog music. At least not a lot of extended pieces, which is what I love most about the genre.

[@gemini2012100]

@@SpaceCattttt That's true. They didn't do a lot of long songs, like Yes or Genesis. I don't think they really considered themselves to be a progressive rock band, but I could be wrong. I like long songs, especially when they have different parts to them. I think of them as reading a good novel. You're wondering, Where is it going to go next? At least that's how it is for me. Iron Butterfly's "In a Gadda Da Vida", I don't really care for that one. It seems like they were just making a long song to be making a long song.

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@gemini2012100 Thick as a Brick was more or less made as a joke at the expense of both traditional prog bands and the critics and fans who expected Tull to behave like them. Ironically, they created some of the best prog music ever in the process. And I'm sure Ian kicked himself afterwards. In a Gadda Da Vida sucks. It's just dumb hippies repeating the same riff, over and over and over...

[@wandersonoliveira263]

A parody of concept albums that is as good as the material it is poking fun at. Some would say is even better.

[@manualboyca]

Yes indeed!

[@MannyJer23]

Great stuff.

[@onsesejoo2605]

Nevertheless, to my ears this is a better album than Aqualung.

[@MrSinnerBOFH]

Just like with Tull’s “Steel Monkey”, that gave them the very first Heavy Metal Grammy (while leaving Metallica in the dust) 😁

[@onsesejoo2605]

@@MrSinnerBOFH I read a nice quote reported from a metal festival at that time, with Tull on the bill. Ian Anderson arrived to the stage playing a mandolin and said "I know this is a metal festival, but it is doing its best." :)

[@donaldanderson6604]

They really don't make them like this anymore. Everything about this album is amazing. Growing up in the 70s, I think we just thought this level of brilliance was normal. We knew it was good but it just keeps getting better with every listen.

[@avlisk]

I grew up in the 1950's and 60's. I love what you said there: ". . we just thought this level of brilliance was normal." Yes, we did. The Beatles raised the bar with every new album, and opened the door for all sorts of experimentation and sounds. It was normal. Even going to the Moon had become commonplace! We were so lucky to be around then to experience it all. We were spoiled.

[@jonathansmith3742]

Just like Lynyrd Skynyrd said, " You got that right."

[@bandfromtheband9445]

I'm still listening to it in 2020. This album will never go away!

[@blackfender100]

I still have my album from the 70's .with the newspaper inside so cool.

[@khaymanib]

@@blackfender100 same with Jefferson Airplane's Volunteers, I got that hanging on my wall with Richard Nixons face plastered on it. It's a timepiece man.

[@Ferretbomber]

Geddy Lee has stated numerous times that Thick as a Brick is one of his favorite albums, and that the accompanying tour was his favorite live show he ever saw. He was amazed at Ian and the band's ability to infuse humor into such an impressive piece, and it inspired Rush to try to convey a similar level of entertainment in their albums and performances. And as you said, to not take themselves so seriously.

[@michaelperrillo5420]

Ian Anderson one of top five all around talents in Rock. Not in hall of fame is a disgrace. He writes lyrics and music, sings, plays great acoustic, flute and a world class performer. Not many at this level for ALL the above talent. Lennon, McCartney, Townsend, Winwood are the others at this level of genius. This is a masterpiece of a song. Live at MSG, 1978 I think shows how great of a performer he is. He wrote this to compete with YES and FLOYD pushing music boundaries. I never get tired of listening to this song. Thanks for reviewing.

[@nancymjohnson]

Yes is up there with Tull. Not Pink Floyd, McCartney or Wineood, who are all great, but not this level.

[@RayRay-ot5xd]

Bravo! Jethro Tull not in the Hall!? A Travesty!!!! Look how long it took Sabbath and The Moodies to get in. How does Green Day and Madonna get in and not Tull??? I lost all respect for the Hall a long, long time ago....

[@michaelperrillo5420]

@@nancymjohnson I'm talking individuals not bands. Yes is my favorite band for 50 years. Tull is not as good but Ian is just a giant all around talent. Can he sing better than JON 100% not but Ian is a better musician. Jon had a lot of help writing songs with Steve and Chris.

[@matthewoconnor5838]

Brilliant album,brings back wonderful memories.

[@jimhardiman3836]

Say hello to Barriemore Barlow. One of the greatest drummers to ever pick up sticks and who really helped propel Jethro Tull to much more sophisticated and dynamic heights.

[@gregrambo606]

John Bonham of Led Zeppelin said that Barlow was the finest drummer England has ever produced. Wow.

[@bandfromtheband9445]

@@gregrambo606 John Bonham wasn't wrong.

[@martinhayward4466]

@@gregrambo606 The late great John Bonham was right. Barlow is superb.

[@georgesonm1774]

yes - he ads immensely to this here suite, imho, along with the keyboard player John Evan and the bass player Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond

[@barriehull7076]

Wilfred Edward Salter Owen, MC (18 March 1893 - 4 November 1918) was an English poet and soldier. He was one of the leading poets of the First World War. His war poetry on the horrors of trenches and gas warfare was much influenced by his mentor Siegfried Sassoon and stood in contrast to the public perception of war at the time and to the confidently patriotic verse written by earlier war poets such as Rupert Brooke. Among his best-known works - most of which were published posthumously - are "Dulce et Decorum est", "Insensibility", "Anthem for Doomed Youth", "Futility", "Spring Offensive" and "Strange Meeting". Owen was killed in action on 4 November 1918 during the crossing of the Sambre-Oise Canal, exactly one week (almost to the hour) before the signing of the Armistice which ended the war, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant the day after his death. His mother received the telegram informing her of his death on Armistice Day, as the church bells in Shrewsbury were ringing out in celebration.[9][18] Owen is buried at Ors Communal Cemetery, Ors, in northern France.[19] The inscription on his gravestone, chosen by his mother Susan, is based on a quote from his poetry: "SHALL LIFE RENEW THESE BODIES? OF A TRUTH ALL DEATH WILL HE ANNUL" W.O.[19][20]

[@augustovasconcellos19]

This was the first album with Barlow on drums, and you got his style very quickly: his spacial notion, self-awareness and timing to when and what to do is really impressive. Looking forward for part 2 and, of course, A Passion Play, where the band is probably on the apex of everything concerning their musicianship (including Ian's voice, that is just superb on this record and on WarChild). Two remarks: 1) Robin Day was a journalist, and Ian made this double-joke to mock him and also illustrate that, sometimes, the supporting actor can be the ignored "savior" of the day. 2) There was a journal that came with the original LP which was written by Ian, Jeffrey Hammond and John Evan, telling a lot of news created by them and also the screenplay for Thick as a Brick (the "Gerald Bostock" story).

[@genestippell1833]

Congratulations! TAAB... My first concert when I was 13... Brick had just come out, never heard of Tull.. Got a ticket because a friend of mine's brother couldn't make it... The concert marked the official beginning of my teenage years. You have to see one of the live recordings, Anderson displaying all his talents and theatrics is something to behold. No one else like him... I listened to this album almost every day while in high school. At the same time I had started playing bass and Yes had just put out Fragile... Worked out all the bass lines to TAAB then bought a Rickenbacker and struggled with Chris Squires bass lines. In 72 Tull's bass player, Jeffrey Hammond, was also a very charismatic presence on stage.. During the concert they took breaks in the music to do Monty python type bits being the point of the album was a Monty python type spoof of concept albums... The only problem was the music was so good that most people didn't get the joke. Congrats and stay well Justin. P.S. Barlows drumming is off the charts the second half of side two... Its great to see you give him some love... Barlow was the best unknown drummer in rock... Anderson's presence was so big that the other members got overlooked.

[@olabergvall3154]

Props to Barlow! 👍 Here's a great live performance kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnSvq2ShjL-Ciac

[@genestippell1833]

@@olabergvall3154 Funny you picked the MSG show... I was there! I live on Long Island... Hop the LIRR to Penn Station and walk up the stairs to the Garden. I lived about 20 mins from the Nassau Coliseum where I saw Tull in 72... Between those two places it seemed there was a concert every other week back then. Had a friend in the ticket business so getting tickets was never a problem.

[@submandave1125]

@@genestippell1833 I've seen a couple of the live TAAB recording here, and IMHO MSG had the best sound.

[@genestippell1833]

@@submandave1125 I believe that show was telecast around the world that's why video and audio quality is so good.

[@hasltisl]

Ah, the albums of our youth and your maturity. Tull is unique and perennial. And you have many more Tull treasures to discover. Now how do we get to 13,000?

[@markmaxwell1013]

@@HippoYnYGlaw ELP! Karn Evil 9 would be a nice goal somewhere.

[@bradsmack1]

Justin could barnstorm the swing states!

[@markmaxwell1013]

@@HippoYnYGlaw Haha! It was one of those contractual obligation albums. Canario is the only song I remember. The Catch-22 is Justin doesn't really do commercial songs. I never dreamt that VdGG would get so many views. Same with GG. I think people come to this channel to find the lesser-known Legends of Prog that didn't get radio air play when they came out. I wish him much success with this formula! Take Care

[@markmaxwell1013]

BTW I love what you wrote about youth and maturity. So true! Most of us didn't grow out of this music we grew into it even more.

[@melissakhalar1842]

Love Thick as a Brick and Jethro Tull and have done so for 50 years. It's fun to watch live although they don't do the whole album. Highly Entertaining.

[@bobholtzmann]

My first Jethro Tull album (I was starting high school at the time) - I recall how I was overwhelmed by the complexity of the music, and equally by the album cover. I actually thought the album's newspaper was a reprint of an actual St. Cleve Chronicle, ads and all, and that the music is based on the poem written by Gerald Bostock, an 8 year old boy. The record label even says "Lyrics by Gerald Bostock". It seemed odd that an 8 year old could write lyrical prose reflecting on adult experience and authority, and privately date a teenage girl. Eventually, I found lots of odd statements and repeating jokes in the newspaper articles, suggesting that the paper was an elaborate hoax, and after connecting the dots in a children's puzzle drawing to reveal a female in a garter belt - well, that put the matter to rest somewhat.

[@OhGaia1]

The very best Album from Jethro Tull is "Bursting Out" (Live) from 1978.Here you can feel the extraordinary Live- Power from "Tull" Ian Anderson is a Wizard!

[@cazgerald9471]

The 70s was a decade of great live albums. I saw Jethro Tull shortly after "Bursting Out" was released - great show.

[@jgdmlw]

@@cazgerald9471 I saw them around the same time for Heavy Horses tour. They were great. At the top of their game at my opinion.

[@paulhart3812]

Ian's first real foray into the Metaphysical and Conceptual Allegory genre of music. Not easy to decipher the lyrics... which is why we LOVE this album. To say nothing of the masterful and complex musical arrangements. A TRUE MASTERPIECE. Thanks Justin for reviewing this amazing work.

[@GhostSound2]

Finally,it happened! This will sound a bit blasphemous,but I am usually not a fan of extremely long pieces of music,even some classic long tracks in progressive rock don't work for me. Thick As A Brick is one of the exceptions,I love the pastoral atmosphere of it,it is relaxing ,but has so many changes and catchy moments that you don't get bored listening to it. It's quite ironic that he made this album for journalists that called Aqualung a concept album just to create one of the most impressive prog rock monoliths,but I guess defying expectations is part of prog rock ethos. Congrats with 10 K! You are one of those reaction channels that I enjoy because you genuinely enjoy the music that you listen to and go in details of compositions. Wish you all the best,man!

[@manualboyca]

I have heard that this album was made to mock the extra-long prog tracks of his day. Can't confirm or deny, but it's a great album!

[@JustJP]

Ty!

[@creaketh]

I very highly recommend these if you like Thick as a Brick: A Passion Play - (Jethro Tull) Song of Scheherazade - (Renaissance) Supper's Ready - (Genesis) Tubular Bells - (Mike Oldfield) Karn Evil 9 - (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers - (Van der Graaf Generator) Nine Feet Underground - (Caravan) Close to the Edge - (Yes) The Imperial Hotel - (England) Eruption - (Focus) 2112 - (Rush (please bear with me on this one)) Nektar - (A Tab in the Ocean) Tarkus - (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) There are many long prog songs, but these are what I believe to be the best, especially the first 3. If you have time, it might be worth checking them out!

[@JustJP]

@@creaketh ty Creak, ive actually done quite a few of the songs on the list😁

[@SirWrecksy]

my absolute favorite band in high school...no one liked this music thought it was weird...i listened to Tull endlessly

[@beldin2987]

Love "Thick as a Brick". I even have it with the old LP cover that is like a newspaper with a lot of pages 😃 Else my second favorite album from Jethro Tull was always "Songs from the Wood" Oh and congratz for 10.000 subsribers 🎂👏👍

[@izzonj]

My prized possession, too! I found it in a used store with the full fold-out cover but the record was scratched to shit. But they had an almost new record in pristine condition but with a simple cut-down cover. So I bought both and combined the best of both!

[@JustJP]

Nice! Ty Beldin😁

[@beldin2987]

@@JustJP I'm actually really hyped about the "subscriber goals" i just noticed especially about "Tales of ... " how we called it back then 😁

[@michelcyr4232]

You had to be geniuses and have a crazy memory to play this tune nonstop, l know, l saw this live in 72 in Ottawa, Canada. I’m still blown away by it at 67, so 49 yrs already passed by and I still have that LP for as long. Glad you didn’t stop it to comment every 3 minutes, 👍🏻👍🏻

[@JustJP]

Ty Michael!

[@folkneverdies]

JETHRO TULL was a famous British agriculturist who lived from 1674 till 1741, that,s what the band is named after...

[@jeffmartin1026]

TAAB is in my top 10 favorite LP's and the first (of 2) times I saw them perform this in concert was my #1 concert of all time. It was a preview/rehersal show before they played/debued the song in NYC and I believe it was just before the LP was released. The stage crew was setting things up on stage all wearing long coats and hats. The band then switched out with them one by one and started coming out on stage wearing the coats and hats. There was a coat rack on stage and the band members would go over and hang the coats/hats one by one as they assembled to play the show. They played a few songs and then Ian explained that they were going to play their new song, that it was quite long and asked everyone to listen and assured us that they would be doing their other songs after this one. They then played TAAB pretty much note for note, front to back. It was stunning. Jethro Tull, with their native upbringing of historical theatre brought the element of theatre into the show as accent but never overshadowing the music.

[@royleggitt3307]

Notice the space between the narrative and the musical interplay. How the words are spoken and the instrument play out the instructions. Sand castle vertures built into real structures . The Child taking command being challenged by his elders. Subtle and bold!

[@JustJP]

Good point Roy!

[@InService77]

I was a big Tull fan for a few years when I got to see them in Nashville on the Stormwatch tour in 1979. I had been steadily listening to Thick as a Brick for 2 years when I saw this same line up on I guess was there last tour before the next set of personnel changes. For that I am eternally grateful.

[@realbser1956]

What a treat to hear this again. Such a great landmark album. TY Justin for the reaction and again 🙏 to you and your family.

[@MrAitraining]

10k. Congrats Bud!

[@GeoffCB]

I was still at school when this was released. It was a huge sensation in Australia and coincided with their first tour here. It also coincided with Monty Python being shown on TV. The concert, with its music and humour was one of those life-changing experiences. Who else would stop the song part-way through, answer the phone, ask for Mike Nelson, then have a guy in a scuba gear come up, talk on the phone, before the band took off exaclty where they stopped! And after we had the funny stories to read in the newspaper!

[@ljsites]

Ok, so after Aqualung, we couldn’t wait to get Tull’s next album, and this came out and we couldn’t buy it quick enough. We through it on the turntable, and listened.....This was not what we expected, but after a couple of plays, we fell in love!

[@ericslan5824]

Back in the day, Tull had the habit of playing Pittsburgh's Civic Arena "The Igloo" on or about Halloween. I went one show where in addition to their "regular" show, the encore was TAAB part one. And, don't forget that they had one of the most theatrical stage shows ever. No lasers or flash pots, or special effects, just little skits and playful banter with the audience. I love these guys, no matter the incarnation.

[@davidschecter5247]

It's a singular album. Not even other Tull records are as near-flawless as BRICK. Still listening to it almost 50 years later and never get tired of it.

[@neilmartin99]

One word..."masterpiece."

[@chewbaccabooberry]

My singular favorite piece of music, period. Has everything you need when you need. Thank you for giving it the full listen. That's what puts you heads and tails above the other reactionaries.

[@JustJP]

I'm happy to! Ty😃

[@AlfOfAllTrades]

The organ player John Evan needs more recognition. It is so tastefully played I have no words.I could think of nothing better than to drive my Vauxhall Ventora down the street blasting this at full volume.

[@peterichards3261]

My 2nd favourite Tull album after Minstrel In The Gallery. John Evan is amazing on this. Such an underrated keyboard player

[@NewBritainStation]

Minstrel in the Gallery is magnificent. The title song may be one of the weakest on the album, and it’s a fantastic song.

[@amnril]

Love MITG and the title song is the best track on the album for me.

[@MrHisperia2001]

Great tune from the Great Jethro Tull ☝️

[@bobcarn]

CONGRATS ON 10,000! This is one of the ultimate progressive rock albums. The story is that critics kept calling "Aqualung" a concept album, and they were bewildered by it because it wasn't meant to be a concept album. Besides a couple songs that were related, it was just a prog-rock album. So they said if the critics think they're doing concept albums, then they're gonna make the mother of all concept albums. and did Thick as a Brick.... a single, two-sided song. I have it on vinyl. The vinyl album is AMAZING! It folds open like a book, then unfolds down and is a 12-page newspaper, filled with stories and articles and classified ads and reports and news. Interspersed throughout it is a story of the epic poem "Thick as a Brick" (which is printed for the readers' convenience) and it's disqualification from a contest. There's even a little story about how a local band named Jethro Tull will be performing the poem to music. Back in the 70s, it was great to get high, put the album on, and read all of the different bizarre stories. The band said they spent more time working on the newspaper than they did the music. Love it or hate it, it's an amazing work.

[@jeannewynne9725]

This was their masterpiece.

[@AqualungsBreath]

Its the Progrock Masterpiece.

[@jonathansmith3742]

I was fortunate enough to catch the TAAB 1 and 2 concert a few years back. Hearing the whole piece of music live was wonderful.

[@O_Towne_Bear]

Wow...taking a deep dive in the prog-pool with this one. Bravo. This is and has always been a benchmark.

[@cartelguitar]

Thank you kindly Justin for your music exploration open mind.I remembered exactly where I was when I heard "Thick As A Brick" for the first time.I was 17 and since ,it has been part of my life.In the early 70's ,we had an abundance of very high quality P.R.albums every year,with each one being an art gallery collection.Receiving a new album created a religious reunion among our friends every single time.Each album was like a hole piece of art.In those times we were not looking for which song in the album was the best one.It was like if you are in front of a Pollock painting.

[@godbluffvdgg]

Congrats on 10K...It must be cool to be vindicated by so many...:)...Ian's Magnum Opus...A Passion Play is killer too...I can sing this entire album without looking at a word; that's how important I found it...I have the vinyl with the full newspaper; SOMEWHERE. :)... Side Two is amazing as well.

[@JustJP]

Thanks Rob!

[@francisp.3514]

I went to a concert in the Olympiahalle in Munich in the early 90s and was selected for a stage act. In a waitress costume and high heels, I was supposed to serve glasses and champagne with a tray on stage to the band members who weren't there for the instrumental piece. That was really exciting and I almost fell over the cables behind the stage, but I did it. After the concert, me and my friends were invited to hang out with the band backstage. That was really cool for a young girl like me. They are great artists especially I like how Ian plays the flute on one leg. They are great artists especially I like how Ian plays the flute on one leg. My favorite album is Aqualung, I especially love the title "My god".

[@geneleonard4368]

🎈CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎊🎈 This is my personal favorite line up of Tull Barriemore Barlow is a Very underrated drummer as well as the rest of the guys . I saw this lineup live several times the best being the War child tour .

[@dandurant4845]

Congrats Justin! It's been a pleasure watching your reactions to this "forgotten" band. Hard to believe but when the Thick concert was touring, they played the entire thing, then said and now our next song! You owe yourself to find a live performance, hopefully something from the earlier years when Ian's voice was still in top form.

[@BackLooking]

I never studied the lyrics and English is not my first language so after about 30 years of listening to this album I still have no idea what it´s about but it´s a great piece of music.

[@joelong7448]

14.5 minutes into it with you and I'm shocked you didn't stop it. I remember listening to it because my brother was playing it and I just laid there on the floor and amazed at all of it. Instantly became my favorite band and album. And then I discover YES...lol I'm like 12 listening to this amazing music. And I mean every kind of music that was coming out. To us it was all just Rock. I think a journalist must've come up with the term, "Progressive Rock." Whatever that is. We knew it as Rock & Roll. From the Beatles and Rolling Stones to Jackson Browne and Van Morrison. From Bonnie Raitt, CSN, Blood Sweat & Tears (Early) to Frank Zappa, Beach Boys and Allman Bros. It was an amazing time from the mid-sixties to mid-seventies, especially.

[@jaybird4093]

Congrats, JP! I’m not surprised by 10K, you’re great at what you do! Prayers for you, your family, and your grandma!

[@JustJP]

Ty Jay! Appreciate that

[@stephendennis5911]

Long time since I last heard Jethro tull and really enjoyed it

[@alexandrutiu6958]

Congrats. Again, you've been very "into" the song. There's no more to say, essentially, because you've already said pretty much everything that matters. The band was in the peak of their creativity and sheer inspiration. Everything came naturally to them to the best level, both as for the composition part and for the playing one. I think also that this was their best staff, with Barry Barlow on drums for the thirst time. Overwhelming and speechlessly ... And only for very well trained prog listeners (about 44 minutes of dense, predatory music ...). A revelation for me, and my friends, in 1972, when I first listened to it (I was 17 years old then and, fortunately, I already had listened to some excellent rock - some of it, progressive - by the time). It was a bracing feeling, an achievement one that it gave me. I think I was lucky to hear such music at an age when you dream a lot, hope a lot and you are also worried by a lot of matters.

[@courtneywallace871]

My favorite Tull album! Thank you!

[@Wayner71]

I don't care for Jethro Tull. I just like the fact that you are back. You are a good man and I wish you well. Cheers good Sir.

[@JustJP]

Ty for that WM🙂

[@marcfriedman7339]

JP, this is a great choice for 10K subs. This has always been one of my favorite albums. Thanks

[@jimschroeder1176]

I saw Ian Anderson perform Thick as a Brick I and II live a couple of years ago, and it's where I really realized the jazz influence of the drumming. I like that you picked up on the good drumming in this song. Good choice and excellent review as always.

[@amon6538]

My whole life I waited for this very moment. Congrats man, your videos are just fire.

[@buidseach]

First time hearing this full version, I really enjoyed it :)

[@JustJP]

I'm glad!

[@jonanderson559]

I was lucky enough to see Ian play it live a few years ago, and it was tremendous, though I can see why he rarely does it. You don't often find music that's got that level of ambition and complexity... and yet is just pure fun.

[@manualboyca]

I just started watching the video. First reaction = the intro is hilarious!! lol

[@toshibautoob]

So happy to see this Justin. I am proud to be one of your earlier subscribers and $upporters and truly honored to have had one of my requests chosen and my name called out. This album is indeed a landmark musical achievement which I never get tired of hearing, lo these (gulp) can it really be 48 years!? Tull is one of the most interesting of the 60s/70s bands in how they really changed from album to album but managed to keep up the quality of their work. I hope you go back (before you go forward) in their timeline and react to Living In The Past and Benefit. I really enjoy your reaction/reviews so much. Keep up the great work and I will be here listening.

[@JustJP]

Ty so much Robert, much much appreciated

[@DrakusRecords]

This was the album that really sold me on Jethro Tull. It's still my favorite Tull album (although Minstrel in the Gallery comes pretty cloes). This was also my favorite Jethro Tull Lineup: Barriemore Barlow was Ian's old friend from his first band, "The Blades". He joined Jethro Tull after Clive Bunker's unexpected departure in 1971. Clive left the band just as they were hitting big after the success of Aqualung. A lot of people didn't think Barrie would be able to fill Clive's shoes, but he did an exceptional job and stayed with the band until the 1980 breakup. He's drumming is at least on par with Clive's, and in many respects better since the arrangements had become increasingly more complex after he joined. Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond was Ian's best friend from childhood and was also in The Blades.Ian often referenced him in early Tull songs (ie. Song for Jeffrey). He was a painter and only dabbled in music. Ian taught him how to play the bass when they were in their first band together. Jeffrey joined Jethro Tull in 1971 and first appeared on Aqualung. Since Jeffrey was an amateur bassist, it's surprising how good he sounds, especially on complex arrangements like Thick as a Brick. He turned out to be an excellent bassist, and he stuck with the band until 1975. He left the band so that he could devote more time to his original love: painting. John Evan was another old friend from Ian's first band. His organ and piano playing was perfect for the prog rock sound of the early 70s. He was invited to join the band for Aqualung, in particular the piano intro to Locomotive Breath and the mellotron intro on Cross Eyed Mary. But his role became far more expansive when the band went more in a prog rock direction on Thick as a Brick. David Palmer also provided the orchestrations and string arrangements for Tull since the early days, but his classical background made him even more of a key member on this album and subsequent albums. He eventually became a full time keyboardist in the band in 1975. For awhile Tull had two keyboardists: John Evan and David Palmer (now Dee Palmer). When the two of them were in the band, Tull was at its proggiest IMO. And then of course there's Martin Barre, who joined the band in 1969 for their second album, Stand Up. He replaced Mick Abrahams who had left to form Blodwyn Pig. Mick was a great blues guitarist but wasn't interested in exploring other styles. Ian wanted someone who could not only play the blues, but also could play folk and classically influenced rock. They auditioned several guitarists, including Tommy Iommi before he had formed Black Sabbath. But it wasn't until they found Martin Barre that Ian had found the perfect match for Tull. Martin Barre has been on every subsequent Jethro Tull album and, aside from Ian, he's the only member to have stuck with the band throughout its entire career since the sixties. And of course, there's Ian Anderson who needs no introduction. FYI Ian Anderson WAS classically trained, but not until the early 90s. You can hear a big improvement in his flute playing on Roots to Branches. On this album (and all of the 60s,70s and 80s albums) he was entirely self taught which is impressive in itself considering how well he plays the flute and it's probably why he was able to to invent such a distinct style. But even so late in his career, he was able to improve his flute playing significantly.

[@JustJP]

I love the history of each member, ty for writing that up!

[@Waltergoodboy]

So fun you went all out with the decor. Progressive music! Thanks JP

[@climber1954]

Sorry you had to wait so long to listen to this fantastic album. Justin, your reviews are always appreciated. For me, having listened to the album more times than i can count, It's the bass and the keyboards that drive the album. Ian's vocals and flute are fantastic, But without that hard bass line, both would be lost. Can't wait to hear part 2

[@arielquarante]

Here comes the comment (this is the period where each comment has something special), where I must be grateful to JP because I experienced a kind of revelation on myself, and without having to pay a shrink. Now is the time when smart youthness come to teach their (a little) elders how to see things. I've always been amazed to see people on KZbin get excited about listening to completely different things when I can't do it so myself (and even when I was much younger). And today, looking at this, I just understood, or at least I think I understood, where it could come from. In fact, I think I act with music just like in my love life. I am an obviously faithful person. I don't mean that I'm a wonderful being who acts the best way I can with my relationships, but just that I'm programmed like that. I'm sure many others will understand me if I say that when you are in love with a person, even after a long time and the love is not really as strong as it was at the beginning but you are used to it, when you meet pretty girls across the street (or pretty boys, depending on), you almost pretend you don't see them. While objectively, they are worth watching as some are gorgeous. I just realized that I was doing the same with music. I had first loves and it seems that I don't want to betray this love. So I am aware that what I listen to is creative, that it makes me move, that it could move me ... but it's as if I wanted to forbid myself. It has happened often on this channel. I understand that such and such a song is a great song, but it doesn't give me the pleasure it could, because I feel like I'm betraying what I liked before. How much I owe you? Do I have to pay in cash?

[@JustJP]

You know, I can understand that🙃

[@samuelecallegari6117]

Finally you listened to one of my top 5 JT albums ahah. What amazes me the most of this album is how well every section flows into each other. It's like most of the prog rock long epics are a collage of parts with sometimes abrupt changes between every section. Instead Taab flows perfectly just like a normal song, simply longer than usual. The reprises of the musical themes and riffs and the symmetry between a lot of verses and sections helps a lot with this.

[@cazgerald9471]

"Thick As A Brick" was Ian's response to the music press and fans who kept insisting that Aqualung was a concept album. You want a concept album? I'll give you a concept album. It's actually a parody of the artform. It's one of my favorite albums. Edit: OK - nothing to see here with this comment folks LOL

[@GrilloTheFlightless]

A great album. With regards to the violin, he says to this day that he isn’t very good at it. He tried it for this album and found it incredibly difficult and never went back. He did explore saxophone more, though, on the next few albums. Regarding drums, Clive Bunker had left because he had fallen in love and wanted to marry just didn’t want to do the extensive touring. John Bonham of LED Zeppelin once said that Barrie Barlow was the best drummer England had ever produced. He is incredibly inventive. Jeffrey Hammond was never really a musician but was persuaded into music by Ian. He didn’t understand musical theory and wasn’t very intuitive. However, he did prove to be a great mimic. Ian would show Jeffrey what to play and Jeffrey copied. And he did a damn fine job. Once he left Tull Jeffrey went back to his painting and never played bass again. To fully experience to ‘concept’ you need to read the sleeve, which was a entire parochial newspaper filled with spoof news stories (many of which are hilarious). In it was a spoof review criticising the album for claiming to be one long piece but was, in fact, a series of shorter unrelated pieces held together with an overarching theme. Which is deliberately what the album is. Which is also the case with some of the more pretentious lengthy concept albums of the day. Ultimately, Ian was making fun of the music critics, progressive rock bands, the audience and the band (in his words “but not necessarily in that order”). The next album, A Passion Play, was of a similar nature. However, the critics took TAAB as a serious prog rock concept album and praised it as such. Ian was amused by the fact that the critics didn’t pick up that it was just a bit of a laugh. But the success of TAAB led Ian to try a more serious attempt at the idea of a prog rock concept album with A Passion Play. Ian feels that A Passion Play failed to please the critics because it took itself too seriously. Personally I love both albums. Enjoyed your reaction.

[@jgdmlw]

Bursting Out. I wish they had played more of this on the live album but to listen to the studio version then hear how powerfully and they played this and every song live is amazing. Their sound in concert and the slight differences in the arrangements was great.

[@stlmopoet]

Have never listened to the whole thing. I remember hearing the first part of this on the radio. Very enjoyable. A great review. Appreciate how you broke it down.

[@JamesHowe]

Congrats on the 10k! Glad to finally see the first listen of Thick as a Brick. I think the thing that struck me the first time I heard this album was that it was literally the entire package. The music was terrific, but the actual album packaging enhanced the concept. The original release had an entire newspaper (and someone else mentioned) and the articles contained in the newspaper were also hilarious. It was great fun to just read the articles. I have a CD version that contains a booklet with the newspaper, but it doesn't have the same impact as the original album concept. This album is one of those that once I start to listen to it, I want to listen to the whole thing. I really like how the pieces flow together. The odd ending of part 1 I'm sure is just a way to transition to the second side of the album since you couldn't fit the entire song on one side. The album "Passion Play" also has a unique way to bridge the two sides. Interesting how limits in technology can be bridged with creativity. Can't wait for part 2.

[@brendanc.8019]

His keyboard dude was amazing, and such a different look. Loved his live work.

[@TrevRockOne]

Yes, Tull get a lot proggier from this point on. Just don't forget about Benefit. That's my favorite pre-TaaB Tull album. Then Minstrel in the Gallery is my favorite Tull album altogether. They bring all together wonderfully on that album.

[@kayleenilsson3825]

Great session man, really nice watching you immerse yourself into the music and hearing your thoughts. Also congrats on the 10k subs! 🤩🙌 you deserve it. Looking forward to part 2. I wont stop stressing the MUCH crisper sound of the *Steven Wilson Remixes* though... Please at least consider comparing both versions of ANY song, I guarantee you will thank me. A music connoisseur like youself would definitely appreciate it. Another almost more important aspect of this is that all the bonus tracks are included on these albums, a lot of which are some of the very best Tull material so I can't recommend this enough. I'm probably a bit early here cause I know you've got *Benefit* to get through first but just thought I mention it well ahead so that you wont miss it; once you get to *A Passion Play* and *War Child* you also need to do *The Chateau D'Herouville Sessions* somewhere in that mix. Also called "The Chateau D'isaster" by Ian. An album they scrapped due to the band suffering a bad case of food poisoning, "effectively putting the _shat_ in Chateau" -Ian 😁 It's a must if you're a big Tull fan 🤘 You probably already know but I believe everything is released on spotify so just check out their discography there, everything should be in chronological order. Sorry this was gonna be a short post 😑

[@ljsites]

I don’t know what I’m more excited about, 10,000 subs or Thick as a brick.....Congratulations!

[@JustJP]

Haha ty Lj!

[@murdockreviews]

Their best. Poking fun at prog concepts and outdoing the others at the same time :-) Cool analysis as well, JP! The "Childhood heroes"-part until the end of Part 1 is one of the highlights for me, by the way...

[@visualanimal5634]

Congratulations on 10,000. You definitely deserve it!

[@cadanrichards2615]

go in order do this then A Passion Play both are incrediable but a passion play is completely different to this but Congrats on 10k

[@godbluffvdgg]

You're right; it is totally different...It's amazing that Ian could write them both...It took me some time and many listens to fully appreciate A Passion Play but; once you get to the point where you know EXACTLY what the next part leads to, it becomes sublime...:)...

[@craigfazekas3923]

I'm one that falls on the other side of the fence with A Passion Play. But believe me, I tried in the worst way to have that sucker grow on me....never happened, except for the "edit" section that wound up on The Best Of Vol. 2. IMO, it was Tull's Tormato or Love Beach, I guess I would best describe it to be for me, personally. Shoot, and I love Lizard by King Crimson, so APP was within my grasp to be able to appreciate. I feel like I'm missing out on something !! Ah, well....

[@olabergvall3154]

He still has Benefit to discover before that 😊

[@hatsbo1]

@@godbluffvdgg Listened to it a couple days ago, never fails to deliver. A bit more fractured than TAAB, but has some great moments. Always wondered the back story of the "Hare that lost his spectacles."

[@godbluffvdgg]

@@hatsbo1 No one -- not even the members of Jethro Tull it seems -- can fully explain why this oddball spoken-word piece should have appeared in the middle of the album A Passion Play. The best Tull mainman Ian Anderson can come up with is because the rest of the album was so lyrically, emotionally and musically dense -- something about someone dying and going through stages in the afterlife -- is that it needed a bit of levity somewhere. So this quirky and ever-so English piece, written and read by bassist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond with assistance from keyboard player John Evans and frontman Anderson, found its way onto a Tull album which was roundly derided in Britain (although it did well in the US).

[@bobdelp2023]

HOLYYYYYYY MOLYYYYYY GUACAMOLEEEEEEEEEE!!!! LMAO HEY NOWWWWWW! TIME FOR MAYBE THE BEST CONCEPT ALBUM IN ROCK EVERRRRRR, YES SIR JUSTIN, YEAHHHH BABY!!! :) NIIIIICCCEEE

[@markphillips3186]

Great review. Love the way you dive deep into the music and lyrics. Takes me back when I was 17 in year 12 when the album came out. Took the album to my then English teacher and tried to impress on him how great the lyrics were

[@robertjewell9727]

You know that KZbin video with the guy driving his car and talking to his dog, going, You know what we're gonna do?! (or something like that) and the dog howls with excitement? Well, I was that dog when I saw Thick as a Brick on the morning listen. Now, having made that unbelievable confession, you should be a teacher, Justin. Your way of walking through the musical passages is completely accessible and wholly articulate. I taught English during the year at a school for stressed-out kids, but in the summer I taught them 3 forms of art: poetry, film, and music (so I knoweth of wheat I speak). The kids in these classes were between 12 and 17 and we had tremendous fun and these lessons did indeed increase their creativity, expand their thought processing and yes, reduce their stress because basically the subject matter was so good. I only played for them music that really left an impression on me over the years to talk about starting with Haydn's Symphony No. 6 and I did move through time and we did listen to a live shortened performance of Thick as a Brick, which inspired a great creative conversation. Having said all that, GREAT OBSERVATIONS! and consider getting a teaching degree. 👍🎶🙏

[@kathleensmith3555]

Haaa I think you were referring to Patrick Barnes and his Bichon Quincy going on a road trip ! Lol

[@robertjewell9727]

Haha 😄 I think so!

[@JustJP]

Lol!! Ty so much Robert

[@vivahvv]

Jethro Tull, A Passion Play Part 2. Another fantastic concept album from Jethro Tull. Just an amazing journey, especially after you have read the lyrics.

[@robbryant3588]

Congrats on 10K! "Thick As A Brick" is a worthy way to mark the occasion. :)

[@robbryant3588]

A logical next full album reaction would be "Benefit", of course.

[@andrewtrautman592]

Love it. Music for the rest of us...

[@shanna9650]

So love this album. This was my introduction to Tull. Still sounds awesome.

[@BackLooking]

I´m looking forward to listening the second part with you.

[@brendanc.8019]

We used to listen to this album on replay!!! Love it Bro.

[@glenndespres5317]

What a way to kick off and celebrate 10K! It’s been awhile since I’ve listened to this one but I remember it well when it came out. A friend had it on 8-track tape and we drove around cranking it on a summer day. Great memory!

[@markgatica12]

Congratulations on reaching your benchmark! Great album choice, great video. Looking forward to the next benchmark achieved.

[@garyweiler8674]

Maybe Tull's best album!!! Masterpiece!!

[@Blinkerson55]

Congrats, Loving your choices. JT one of my favorite bands all time. Cheers, Chicago Ray

[@ruipina5636]

Brilliant, just brilliant!!!

[@MagiKpeople]

That was an awesome reaction, congrats on the 10k! You're by far my favorite reacter on KZbin.

[@byronmitchell3784]

There's a very GROOVY Live Video of this Song "THICK AS A BRICK". JETHRO TULL AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN 1976.... I SAW HIM AT MILWAUKEE WITH E.L.P. in 1997. TOP 5 CONCERTS I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WITTNESS... CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 10,000 SUBSCRIBER'S JUSTIN , ROCK ON... HAPPY HALLOWEEN 🎃

[@antonyrobinson1215]

Just wanted to say thanks for this. I played this and other Tull to death in my teens and probably haven't played any Tull for 25 years or so as a result. I OD'ed on Tull! I was only going to listen to your review section but ended up playing the whole thing and still knew all the words. Thank you for kickstarting my refreshed love of Tull. Just bought the the Steven Wilson versions of TAAB and A Passion Play and will be reacquainting myself with more soon.

[@JustJP]

Ty so much Anthony! I'm glad you enjoyed this one

[@gordonjackson217]

A great band, great musicians, great album and very perceptive comments - not just ‘Wow!’, but properly discussing what’s going on. Most importantly, Justin, I like that you don’t keep interrupting the music, like many reactors, to say, ‘I like that bit’, completely breaking the flow. Keep it up!

[@JustJP]

Ty so much Gordon! Happy you enjoyed the video

[@Amanda-si1qz]

Congratulations Justin, all your hard work has finally paid off. Looking forward to 15,000K. :) Take care now all.

[@JustJP]

Ty!!

[@danmcconnell5941]

Congrats on the 10k, not many reaction channels have staying power. Many just have one gimmick that is cool at first but gets old after awhile. Your song choices and breakdowns are always worth watching.

[@carlswenson5538]

Listened to both parts 1 & 2. So much to say ... Ian was 'accused' of creating a concept prog rock album with Aqualung. Many of the themes follow a similar theme, but he insisted it wasn't a complete concept. Thick was his somewhat comical and brilliant answer to that. A lot of the lyrics are a call back to Aqualung, especially side two of that album. You can't help but smile, even laugh along with Ian as his lyrics go from making sense to ... WHAT the hell! Tull was just so very talented as a great band, but John Evan on keys stands out here! Ian always wrote in unusual time signatures and odd keys, switching frequently, which is on full display with Thick. If you haven't already, please watch the MSG live performance. You'll see just how amazing these musicians were and what a showman Ian and the boys are. Each player is a character in the 'play'. Let them take you on a memorable journey unequaled to this day, IMHO.

[@bigjapi1]

Happy 10k! 👏👏👏 you deserve it and more!